Spring and summer getaway to Salou

A lively family holiday resort

Considered by many to be the capital of the Costa Daurada, Salou is always bustling with tourists in summer who come from all over attracted by its fine sand beaches and sheltered coves. On these beaches you can walk a long way into the sea without the water reaching more that waist high and there are plenty of local leisure facilities for children (Bosc Aventura, horse riding, karting, mini golf, PortAventura...) making Salou an eminently family-oriented resort.

Morning day 1: Time to hit the water

Salou is synonymous with beaches and the Mediterranean Sea. So we're planning to explore its famous golden sand beaches on our very first morning here, though it's difficult to choose just one. First we'll have to choose between a large beach and a smaller cove. There are five coves within the municipal area of Salou: Llenguadets, Penya Tallada, Font, Vinya and Crancs. They can be found near the promontory of Cap de Salou and each one has its own peculiarities and its own beauty. For example, Cala Font is ideal for snorkelers thanks to its calm waters and marine wildlife while Cala Llenguadets is surrounded by nature and is only accessible on foot via Camí de Ronda or Carrer de Torrassa. There are also four beaches: Llevant, Ponent, Capellans and Llarga. The first one is the biggest and has a wide range of leisure facilities and amenities. If you prefer a quieter beach in a more natural setting, head for Platja Llarga, which is a little further from the big hotels and tourist areas.

When you've had enough of swimming and sunbathing, you won't have far to go to find a good spot for lunch. You'll find bars and restaurants serving dishes with all the flavours of the Mediterranean very near the beaches.

Afternoon day 1: Along the Camí de Ronda

After a nap at your hotel or apartment or after cooling off in the pool the accommodation you have chosen most likely has, it's time to stretch your legs a little. First of all we'd like to suggest a stroll through the main shopping streets of Salou which have a wide variety of shops with, Salou being a tourist resort, generous opening times.

When the heat is no longer so pressing, we can head for the Camí de Ronda, a a two and a half kilometre long coastal path that runs from the area of Pilons to Replanells and which will allow us to visit a stretch of coastline that was inaccessible only a few years ago. Even now there are some stretches that are more complicated than others; there are places that are 77 meters above sea level! But in general the whole route is easy and you'll be able to enjoy magnificent views of the sea and the Cap de Salou.

If you have still have time and strength to spare, you could take a stroll around town, along Passeig de Jaume I, which follows the seafront and has a monument to the homonymous Catalan king halfway down it. It's no coincidence, since King James I set off from Salou on the 5th of September 1229 with his fleet to conquer Majorca. The promenade also has surprising cybernetic and illuminated fountains which offer a spectacle of light and sound.

Morning day 2: The beginning of an action-packed day

We hope that you awake well rested today because today is going to be busy. First of all, we'd like you to choose from among the water sports on offer on Platja de Llevant and Platja de Ponent. Some are more relaxing, such as a short cruise or a session of kayaking, while other require more courage and skill, like paddle-surfing and jet-skiing.

After having fun in the water we can now head inland a little. Bosc Aventura, was opened in Salou in 2011 and has an 8,000 metre circuit full of activities for people of all ages. The top activities here are the zip lines (one of which is for children from three years of age), but there are also two paintball fields, a climbing wall and a picnic area.

Afternoon day 2: A great amusement park

It's difficult to stay in Salou and not feel the pull of PortAventura. With new attractions open every year, both young and old are bound to have a good time here, whether it's hot (you can have a refreshing visit to the park, where water is a constant element in the attractions) or if the weather is bad and you head for one of the many high quality shows on offer in the six thematic areas in the park. Although Dragon Khan is still the symbol of the park, there are other thrilling attractions like Furius Baco and Shambhala. PortAventura also has plenty of restaurants serving food from around the world, as well as four hotels. If you are staying in Salou, a fun option is to take the tourist train that connects the amusement park with most sites of interest in town. Although you already know most of these, there may still be places for you to explore before finishing your two day visit to Salou.

Accommodations

Cultural venues

Dating from the mid-16th century, Torre Vella conserves its original façades but has been modernized inside and, together with the adjoining building, is now a cultural centre hosting art exhibitions and housing the Museum of Contemporary Enamels.

This group of buildings was originally built as a nativity scene, and still stands today, together with rural implements and farm animals in a space of more than five thousand square metres. It has recently incorporated a playground and in the summer months hosts a crafts market.

This archaeological site is made up of the remains of a Roman building used for the production of ceramics. It consists of an oven, of which the fire chamber still remains and, next to it, the remains of a large columned space corresponding to the workshops in which the potters worked on their wares.